I lean against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. “Don’t go too crazy with the hot water, I’ve heard it can worsen your symptoms if you do have a concussion.”
According to Vanessa, Dr. Gonzalez made it seem obvious that Magnum has a mild concussion. He didn’t mention that part to me, but based on what she said, the doc wasn’t too concerned. She has, of course, been watching Magnum closely for any of the symptoms the doctor warned her to look out for.
He’s young and healthy.
I’m sure he’ll be fine, but I’ve apparently taken over Vanessa’s mother-hen role. It reminds me to head over and start the tub. This house has multiple tankless hot water heaters, so I’m not risking leaving Magnum without any hot water.
“So…” he calls out from the shower. “How are things with you and Vanessa? She smelled like a combination of you andMoretti last night. She didn’t shower when she got home, and she’s barely let me out of her sight all day.” He chuckles. “She probably does need a cleanup.”
I grunt, checking the bottles around the tub.
There’s a basket of bath bombs, but upon smelling them, I decide to skip it. If Vanessa wants something fragrant, she can pick one for herself.
“You really think he’s going to share once he bites her?” Magnum asks.
Hell if I know, but he can’t do much to stop it if one of us claims her first. It’s going to be a pain in the ass dealing with Moretti as a packmate—he sucks at sharing.
It gives me a small amount of hope that Emory managed to share in his office. He might not like it, but just like me and Magnum, he’ll figure it out if he wants to keep Vanessa happy.
Magnum’s shower goes off without incident, and I tape him into dry bandages.
“All right.” I hold out a hand, helping him off the bench that sits in front of the vanity. Once he’s upright, I grab his sweats and nod at his towel. “You good to get into these yourself?”
“Yeah, definitely.” He drops his towel, grabs the sweats, and promptly stumbles forward as he bends down to get into them.
I sigh, wrapping an arm around his back. “No face-planting on my watch.”
“The meds help, but damn, they make me loopy,” he mutters, finally getting both feet into his pant legs. He pulls them up, and I step back.
That’s about the extent of the level of help I would be comfortable accepting in his position, so I don’t push when he takes off toward the door without assistance.
“Thanks, Hawk,” he says, looking back over his shoulder from the doorway. “Never get shot. I’d try, but I’m not sure I could do the same for you.”
I chuckle. “Send Vanessa in.”
“You got it.”
Vanessa makes her way into the bathroom.
“It’s ready and waiting for you.” I nod at the tub. “You deserve a solid soak.”
Vanessa doesn’t fight as I help her out of her clothes, but it’s an entirely different form of torture watching her nude body just under the surface of the water as she gets settled in.
She rests her head back against the cushioned pillow, and her eyes fall shut. Watching over her while she gets some much-needed relaxation fills my chest with pride.
On the other hand, my dick acts like she’s naked just for our enjoyment. I normally have much better control over my physical reactions, but sexy little replays of last night filter through my mind.
Yeah, it’s probably about time I bite her. That way Moretti won’t have any delusions that he can keep her to himself.
Chapter Thirty-One
Vanessa
Seeing Hawk take care of Magnum like he’s already accepted him as his packmate makes me really happy.
After my bath, the three of us snuggle in the pack bed and watch a horrible action movie. The acting is awful, but I’m barely focused on it, anyway.
Moretti hasn’t texted or called all day, and it leaves me feeling highly unsettled. There’s nothing I can do except wait, and I’m grateful to have at least two out of three of my guys safe here in the mansion, but dammit, I wish Moretti were here. At the very least, he could check in.
